Tag Archives: books

An award, an award – my kingdom for an award! You have been far too kind in the last month or so nominating me for awards! And now Marie, at My Little Corner of Rhode Island, has nominated me for the Kreativ Blogger award! It made me smile that she mentioned cooking and Middle Earth in the same sentence! How cool is that? I fell in love with Marie’s blog the first time I visited – and saw gorgeous pictures of her gardens – long, slim beds with brick walkways! This is our dream of a back yard. Perhaps one day! And I love Marie’s outlook on life! I raise my glass to her!

Now comes the part where I tell you ten things about myself you don’t know. Hm, I’ve already done this for one award, but let’s see what I can come up with.

1. I have at least 346 cookbooks – yes, I just tried to count them and I’m sure I missed a few along the way! And the doesn’t include the 150 I sold to Half-Price a few years ago. Some are very old, some are new – I love getting an idea for a recipe, then making it my own!

2. I’ve been the finance officer for a local school system for 21 years. I like my job, but it does take up quite a bit of my time! Can you tell I’m longing for retirement?

3. I’m probably the only person you know with photo albums and SD cards with just gravestone photos – at least 2,000 total! But I’m a genealogist – not a lunatic!

4. My favorite colors are purple and green.

5. My birthday is June 30th and I know very few people born on that day – is that lucky or unlucky? Even with all the people in my genealogy file there are only one or two. Strange.

6. I could read all day given the chance – but I find very little time for it. Histories are my favorite, biographies – I’m always sad to get to the end of the book – I’ve come along on such a journey through each life, and then come to the final moments. David McCullough is one of my favorite authors.

7. I dearly love my KitchenAid mixer!

8. Old Kentucky Chocolates makes the very best dark chocolate covered grapes. Ritchey, tomorrow is Monday – dark chocolate day – shouldn’t we make a trip to the big city?

9. I am the oldest of five – I have three sisters and one brother.

10. I love to have my picture taken with my hubby!

I hope you didn’t fall asleep! Now to pass the award on to those who have not received it.

Back Road Journal – Karen has beautiful recipes to share, as well as travels – you feel as if you are tagging along!

The Versatile Blogger Award!

Surprise doesn’t exactly tell the entire story when I found out ChgoJohn at from the Bartolini kitchens nominated me for The Versatile Blogger Award! I greatly appreciate his faith in me! Not only does John turn out the most marvelous looking food, I love his sense of humor and his accompanying stories! And he has that great Italian heritage to back him up! I’m sure you’ve visited from the Bartolini kitchens many times – but just in case there are a few of you that haven’t, please do so! I truly feel I am a toddler among giants, but will try to live up to this honor!

I’m supposed to present seven unknown facts about myself and pass the award on to 15 other bloggers.

1. If there’s one thing I’m even more passionate about than cooking, it’s genealogy! Since I was a toddler, sitting on the arm of my grandfather’s chair and listening to his stories, family history has become almost an obsession! My actual research started almost 40 years ago! I have some of my family lines back to the 700’s. My genealogy blog began in April of this year.

2. Dressing up for renaissance faires and other period festivities is something I love. We are attending a Tolkien Festival – A Long Expected Party 2 – later in the week. My elvish costumes for Lady Celebrian, wife of Lord Elrond, are ready and waiting!

3. There are far more books in this house than in the normal household – perhaps 5,000. Most are histories, biographies, genealogy, science – and a few fiction. Dare I mention we like to read?

4. I used to be a very shy, quiet, person but when I turned 50 decided to throw caution to the wind – and can now even monopolize a conversation! And no, it doesn’t bother me to tell my age!

5. When I was growing up – and through high school – everyone thought I would be a concert pianist. I still love to play, but more as an accompanist for Kate or Ritchey.

6. I have a teapot collection of well over 250. My favorites are my Halls teapots – from the Hall China Company in East Liverpool, Ohio – many of which date from 1910-1930. But they don’t just sit on the shelf – I enjoy a spot of tea from them!

7. I love to travel, but have never been out of the United States, whereas Ritchey has lived in exotic places the world over. My dream is a trip to Europe – what food and history to be found!

8. And the best I have saved for last! I live with my soulmate of 31 years – my husband, Ritchey, whom I adore! We share many interests – including those listed above – but are different enough to make things interesting! We have two children, Linton, our son, who is 29, and Kate, our daughter, who is 27, who have taught me as many things as hopefully I have taught them!

Now comes the hard part of passing on the award! Please forgive me if I’ve overlooked someone or if I pass this to someone who has recently received it!

Ritchey and Phyllis Brown

I live to cook! My husband loves to eat! We make a great pair! We enjoy growing tomatoes, herbs and flowers in our back yard. Tearooms are a favorite of ours - well, almost any restaurant will do - as long as the food is good! We are passionate about history and visiting 'where it happened'. Truly we enjoy life! Life together!

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